1. Immigration Reform
Name: Tensa Rwegasira
Prof: Margret Broxton
Date: April 14th
2015
Words: 2948
Pages: 12
Course: Public Program Analysis & Evaluation
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2. Abstract
The United States has welcomed more immigrants and as a consequence seen the influx of immigrants
migrating to the United States, in search of better living standards. The problem of mass immigration to
the United States has seen the immigration policy become muddled. The result has been lack of
assimilation which ultimately leads to social tension and issues of identity. The paper is to make aware of
this ongoing problem, what lies at the core, why nothing has been done and whether something can be
done to deter this ongoing issue.
Introduction
Immigration and emigration has been part of parcel of development. Immigration and emigration is
mostly done for an improved standard of living. It can be said that they are push and pull factors when
discussing the movement of people from one nation to another. However, as of recent in some parts of the
world, migration has become a topic for discussion. This paper discusses those issues, and how the
government should tackle this problem of migration and what comes along with migration. Our case
study is the United States and the need or its immigration reform.
In an article published by the Washington Times, reports the decline of President Barrack Obama due to
the inability to adapt to the changing face of illegal immigration, with the problem of lack of co-operation
from within the United States and abroad looming at the same time. Who is to blame for the failure of the
United States immigration reform policy? The reasons at the same time should be covered as well, to
better understanding the policy making also decision making (Dinan S, 2015).
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3. Literature
The reasons for the failed immigration reform apparently stem from state and local legislative restrictions,
which have led to judicial findings of state and local liability. The outcome has resulted in the United
States government to raise the nation’s debt limit (Fabian, J, 2013).
However the other side of the coin it can be reported is the notion that an increased labor force can
possibly boost the United States economy, according to President Barrack Obama (Fabian, J, 2013).
There is pressure from all fronts to come up with an immigration reform which benefits not only the
advocates but at the same time the people / residents of the United States with reassurance that jobs shall
be available and the economy shall be boosted.
Before covering the immigration reform act and what it means, it is crucial to know that research on the
issue of the immigration reform act have been discussed by various researchers. The immigration reform
act was passed by congress which was signed by the President in the year of 1986 (Immigration Reform
and Control Act (IRCA). (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015,). The reform act, seeks to enable or preserve
jobs for those who are legally entitled to them (Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). (n.d.).
Retrieved April 14, 2015,). The people behind this law known as the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (IRCA), the policy were established at the same time to reflect the growing concern that the
problem of illegal immigration and employment requires greater control by the United States federal
government (Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015,).
The United States, though with more than 40 million foreign – born with an unknown documented
number of illegal residents is not just the largest immigration player in the world (2013, March 12). The
idea of immigration and labor productivity and economic welfare has profound consequences for a vast
amount of the society. United States is facing a problem or values however, what the politicians in United
States have forgotten is how the nation treats its immigrants portrays a powerful statement to the world
about principles and values it stands for (2013, March 12).
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4. The research done for instance that of Nestor Rodriguez in his work “Immigration Reform” tackles the
dilemma posed on government officials. The problem posed to the government officials according to
Nestor Rodriguez is a split in the camp, those who are for known as the humanitarian approach. The
humanitarian approach when talking about the immigration reform entails that the policy would grant
amnesty for illegal residents with a possibility of citizenship (Rodriguez, N. (n.d.). Immigration
Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved April 14, 2015). While they are those who oppose amnesty to illegal
residents they are against the idea, and rather want the immigration reform to restrict legalization to a
selective few, with the argument that the United States has harbored its fair share of migrants (Rodriguez,
N. (n.d.). Immigration Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved April 14, 2015).
Government to go further in the case of United States and its bureaucracies have a huge impact when
determining how the immigration reform law shall look like once implemented (Rodriguez, N. (n.d.).
Immigration Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved April 14, 2015). The role congress is that of
determining whether the immigration laws get passed or not. The administering bureaucracies write the
rules in order to know how to implement the laws. Once done the bureaucracies who administer
immigration laws can affect the ability of immigrant’s statuses by cost or demands which have to be met
(Rodriguez, N. (n.d.). Immigration Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved April 14, 2015).
New pattern of immigration legislation to regulate immigrants developed during the 21st
century which
saw local and state governments began enacting ordinances and laws in order to prohibit undocumented
migrants in their jurisdiction (Rodriguez, N. (n.d.). Immigration Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved
April 14, 2015). At the end according to the analysis done and research, Nestor Rodriguez concludes that
congress will most likely pass a new bill of immigration reform. This new immigration reform will see
both democrats and republicans members participating in voicing their support for a better and resolution
for such legislation (Rodriguez, N. (n.d.). Immigration Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved April 14,
2015).
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5. Nestor Rodriguez pessimistically adds “….whatever reform is enacted; it will not satisfy all immigrants
seeking relief. What may look like reform for some immigrants may look like a new barrier for others”
(Rodriguez, N. (n.d.). Immigration Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved April 14, 2015).
Political Research Quarterly, and research done by Gyung – Ho Jeong published an policy evaluation in
which Gyung – Ho Jeong proceeds to discuss the issues in terms of multidimensional negotiations,
congress and immigration itself in the United States (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013).
Gyung – Ho Jeong covers the issue of how external factors in this case multidimensional negotiations
shape legislative outcomes, Gyung – Ho Jeong, states the complex aspect of immigration policy and how
public opinion ultimately shapes legislative outcomes (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013).
Studies have been conducted, which have attempted to explain the number of dimensions and how
dimensionality affects the legislative outcome. The reason behind the lack of interest of dimensionality is
because the shortage of a theory that provides a clear prediction of the final outcome of multidimensional
outcomes (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013). Theorists such as McKelvey in Gyung – Ho Jeongs work discuss
the chaos theorem. The chaos theorem explains in multidimensional negotiations “all alternatives are
possible outcomes, studies have turned to the roles of legislative institutions and political parties in
explaining legislative outcomes” (Gyung- Ho Jeong, 2013).
Furthermore, it is stated that “… the dimensionality of congressional negotiations has often been treated
as an endogenous variable that can be manipulated by legislative institutions and political parties” (Gyung
– Ho Jeong, 2013). The downside of this approach to understanding the immigration reform is that one is
subjected repetitively examine the role of dimensionality in a systematic way (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013).
The conclusion found by Gyung – Ho Jeong is that, the key characteristics of immigration reforms in the
United States is that legislative outcomes tend to be limited in terms of that they are inconsistent with the
preferences of the majority of the United States public. Also public opinion polls consistently show that a
majority of the United States public supports a restrictive immigration policy (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013).
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6. The paper is to shed light on the importance of the immigration reform act which is posing a troublesome
and divided United States. Both Nestor Rodriguez and Gyung – Ho Jeong make aware of the situation.
Methodology
As the paper is a replication of both researchers work, it is only right that the methodology be replicated.
The evaluation facing the reader is one clearly of process evaluation and outcome, determining and
understanding the socio – political aspect of migration, once done the way stated in the research paper for
instance by Gyung – Ho Jeong one is able to realize the cause and effect using qualitative and quantitative
data.
An example of how the research was conducted by Gyung – Ho Jeong was to implement what previous
scholars used, known as the Uncovered Set (USC) (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013). Primarily used when
discussing the multidimensional aspect of the immigration reform act, “USC, includes all the proposals
that are not covered. Proposal X is covered by Proposal Y, if Y beats X (i.e., is majority preferred to X),
and every proposal that beats Y also beats X. Thus, when X is covered by Y, one can expect that X is less
likely to be the final outcome as long as Y is available because X is weakly dominated by Y” (Gyung –
Ho Jeong, 2013).
In addition to what has been mentioned, there has been extra emphasis on why implementing the USC, is
crucial. Besides the USC being a tool of prediction it can be used as a measuring tool of centrist outcomes
in a multidimensional space (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013). Another employed method too is one known as
the Agenda – constrained ideal point estimation method. This study or method is not new and involves
the estimation of ideal points (policy preferences) especially legislative outcomes using roll call data. The
meaning behind employing this method is to identify the statistical model by using agenda information
(Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013).
When Gyung – Ho Jeong discusses the issue of how public opinion and interest groups shape legislators
positions on immigration, to add validity like previously done, what is implemented to measure public
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7. opinion at the state – level is by estimating state – level opinion via means from national opinion polls.
An approach known as Bayesian multilevel estimation along with post – stratification is implemented.
The reason behind the methodology selected is to model – state – level opinion as a tool of individual
demographics and the characteristics at the state – level (Gyung –Ho Jeong, 2013).
Variables are used, to determine the behavior of an individual’s opinion on immigration. In the case of
state – level variables, what were used were 3 variables. The following 3 variables were used to portray
the state – specific effects of economic and social factors; Unemployment rate, region and vote share.
Once figuring out the answers to the questions, the answers were then modeled using individual – and
state – level opinion on immigration. When done the researcher, attempts to make a correlation with the
senators’ voting on immigration. After that is completed what was done was the transformation of the
agenda -constrained ideal point estimation model into a multilevel model (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013).
There are notably some disadvantages to the selected research paper, one of them being the notion that
not all the empirical data produced perfect results. Case studies or previous studies combined in the past
along with paper discussed about however give the impression that the gap between public opinion and
legislative outcomes in policy making immigration is not down to legislators disregarding public opinion
as suggested in earlier studies (Gyung – Ho Jeong, 2013).
The two research papers conducted by Nestor Rodriguez and Gyung – Ho Jeong state that, the issue of
immigration reform act is far more complex then it appears or makes out to be. Their work provides
validity and reliability on showing the symptoms and the effects of the immigration reform act will have
on the citizens of the United States. By using previous studies to validate their point, and measurement
tools it can be said though that predicting what the outcome of the next immigration reform act bill is
rather hard. On the note whether or not both researchers were successful in making their voice heard and
point across, like the conclusion is 50/50. Both papers can be said to make aware of an issue which
should not be taken lightly.
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8. Conclusion
To conclude it is appropriate to quote two leading minds, well known Presidents of the United States on
immigration. The first by Franklin Delano Roosevelt “Remember, remember always, that all of us, and
you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.” That alone presupposes
sympathetic stance on the issue of immigration however over time Ronald Regan another important
President of the United States mentioned “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” This
nationalistic approach like the earlier liberal approach mentioned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt just
suggests the mentality and viewpoint which was made throughout the research by both researchers.
After reviewing articles and research papers, the proposals to tackling the immigration reform act it can
be said that history is tending to repeat itself. In a website article Demetrios G. Papademetriou who
happens to be president and co – founder of the migration policy institute has stated “… the proposal
looks not all that different from many previous efforts that went nowhere….” (MEHLMAN, I. 2015,
April 13). Demetrios G. Papademetriou goes further to mention that immigration reform act “Will help
build the American economy and strengthen American families” (MEHLMAN, I. 2015, April 13). The
remark made by Demetrios G. Papademetriou alone suggests that political progress has been made. The
most pressing issue is that of who shall come in, how many immigrants. What has been done recently is
selecting immigrants with skills which will benefit both United States and the immigrant. At the same
time rethinking the amount of families into the United States is a difficult task.
Whether or not the issues of values are being addressed fully and by everyone is another aspect which
needs to be considered. What can be concluded as well is the notion of the complexity on immigration
which can be seen with the passing of the immigration reform act bill. Thinking hard about integration
and looking at Europe and it’s xenophobia towards Muslims, Blacks or any ethnicity for that matter.
In a source from Immigration reform.com, written by Ira Mehlman, Ira Mehlman discusses the problem
of influx of immigrants and the effects it is having on United States citizens. Problems such as high – tax
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9. redistributionist states, which entails that citizens or legal citizens included are forced to pay high taxes
for immigrants who live from the high taxes. However the rebuttal is one of that the United States is a
democracy thus the citizens who vote their economic interests and the people who happen to fall in the
category of dependents tend to elect people who tax those who have to provide for the people who don’t
have (Stein, D. 2015, March 6).
The problem of United States and the immigration reform act has at an international level can be seen.
Dan Stein writes that the issue of immigration reform act is depicting the United States breakdown of
leadership (Stein, D. 2015, March 6). Dan Stein goes further to suggest the irrelevance of the congress
when tackling immigration policy decisions. An important point highlighted by Dan Stein which was not
picked up, was the notion of power politics between the Republicans and Democrats and putting their
interest before the people who have elected them. Dan Stein suggests understanding the motives not only
is the rational approach but helps us understand or perhaps have an effective counter – strategy.
Citizens of the United States in order to move forward must know what they have dealt with in the past to
understand where they are headed. In other words the citizens of United States must recognize the abuse
of power stemming from the executive branch which is contradictory to the constitutional form of
governance (Stein, D. (2015, March 6).
Disregard for federalism, which goes against the principle of the United States, the 10th
amendment of the
United States constitution says “powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government are thereby
reserved to the states”. The United States founding fathers meant by the 10th
amendment that in order to
know what is right for the United States citizen one must be part and parcel if anything in constant
interaction with the people.
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10. Reference
Dinan, S. (2015, April 13). Deportations of illegal immigrants plummet on Obama’s watch. The
Washington Times. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/13/immigration-chief-sanctuary-cities-influx-kids/
Fabian, J. (2013, October 15). Obama: Immigration Next After Shutdown, Debt Limit Fights.ABC
NEWS UNIVISION. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/obama-
immigration-shutdown-debt-limit-fights/story?id=20582502
Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from
http://www.bu.edu/hr/policies/federal-and-state-laws/immigration-reform-and-control-act-irca/
Jeong, G. (2013). Congressional Politics of U.S. Immigration Reforms: Legislative Outcomes under
Multidimensional Negotiations. Political Research Quarterly, Vol. 66(3), Pp. 600-614. Retrieved April
14, 2015, from http://prq.sagepub.com.ezproxy.barry.edu/content/66/3/600.full.pdf html
MEHLMAN, I. (2015, April 13). Mass Immigration is a Key Reason Residents of High-Tax States are
Voting with their Feet. Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://immigrationreform.com/2015/04/13/mass-
immigration-is-a-key-reason-residents-of-high-tax-states-are-voting-with-their-feet/
PAPADEMETRIOU, D. (2013, March 12). The Fundamentals of Immigration Reform. Retrieved April
14, 2015, from https://prospect.org/article/fundamentals-immigration-reform
Rodriguez, N. (n.d.). Immigration Reform. 12(No. 2 10 - 11). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from
http://ctx.sagepub.com.ezproxy.barry.edu/content/12/2/10.full
Stein, D. (2015, March 6). Immigration Reform and Control Act. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from
http://immigrationreform.com/category/law/legal_opinion/
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